I have a Black Max 8125 generator (6500 running watts) with 13 hp Honda GX390 engine and Powermate generator. I bought the generator while living in the New Orleans area after Katrina. I now have a fifth wheel and want to use the generator on occasion when no RV park power is available. But, the generator is LOUD. Any ideas on where to go to find out info on how to upgrade to a quieter muffler/silencer? Is it just the muffler that's needed or does it take a full enclosure to quieten one of these things up? Or, am I better off selling it and buying one made for an RV?

Mark is wrong. Go read the 3000 watt chinese generator thread. Near the back of the thread are pictures and descriptions of a successful box build that quieted down a open frame generator. It was accomlished by a moderator here on this site.

racefan1965 wrote:Mark is wrong. Go read the 3000 watt chinese generator thread. Near the back of the thread are pictures and descriptions of a successful box build that quieted down a open frame generator. It was accomlished by a moderator here on this site. Rick

Mmmmmmmmm not wrong at all. You can box up a open frame construction generator with the best muffler and soundproof material available and it'll still be loud, obnoxious, and irritating to everyone but the mental giant running the generator. Been there and done that myself with a GENERAC portable 4000 watt EXL genset. Construction generator's especially are not built with quiet in mind. If you really want a quiet genset, your only true options are the portable Honda's and Yamaha's, and the built in Onan quality gas/diesel/ and propane powered gensets. I can't count the number of sleepless nights I've spent parked next to some really bright guy running a boxed up construction genset day and night thinking he's really got a "high tech" bead on the genset noise problem.

I have a 5500 construction type generator that I bought for hurricane power. Yes, they are very loud and I thought about working on the muffler and building a box.

In the end I found it was easier to buy another cheap 2800 Chinese made generator for camping back up power only. We mainly use hook ups and dry camp. If I used a generator a lot, I would pony up for a Honda.

racefan1965 wrote:Mark is wrong. Go read the 3000 watt chinese generator thread. Near the back of the thread are pictures and descriptions of a successful box build that quieted down a open frame generator. It was accomlished by a moderator here on this site. Rick

Mmmmmmmmm not wrong at all. You can box up a open frame construction generator with the best muffler and soundproof material available and it'll still be loud, obnoxious, and irritating to everyone but the mental giant running the generator. Been there and done that myself with a GENERAC portable 4000 watt EXL genset. Construction generator's especially are not built with quiet in mind. If you really want a quiet genset, your only true options are the portable Honda's and Yamaha's, and the built in Onan quality gas/diesel/ and propane powered gensets. I can't count the number of sleepless nights I've spent parked next to some really bright guy running a boxed up construction genset day and night thinking he's really got a "high tech" bead on the genset noise problem.

Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!

Well heck. I can't figure out why he would go through all the trouble and put his posting reputation on the line to report a lie? But if you say it's not possible....
Did you even go read the posts or just come straight here to say that his report was false and impossible? It was posted that It was quieter than a honda even. Read this.

Great, so you proved that you can....the better question is should you? And why would you?

When its all said and done the guy barely saved any $$$ compared to a Honda, never mind the cost of a Yamaha 2400. And he's still got a CHINESE generator, rather than a high quality, well engineered Japanese unit. Where's the cost of his LABOR figured into the equation. After all, time IS money. At least he doesn't have to worry about someone stealing the thing

I think most prudent people would rather spend a few extra bucks, save all the extra time, not have a huge, ugly a$$ box hanging off the back and go on down the road....

Great responses so far! Anyone else with any input on this issue? I hate to buy a generator, but also want to be able to sleep while the darn thing is running (and more importantly, I want my wife to be able to sleep).

I'll add another thing. The generator has a L14-30R receptacle for 120/240v power. The RV of course has a 120V 30 amp plug (and has a 15,000 btu air conditioner). After much searching I found a forum where someone pointed out that www.OhioKipor.com has a converter to take the 240v L14 receptacle to a 120v 30 amp RV plug, called the RV Dog Bone Generator Adaptor, at a price of around $30. I called Coleman Powermate who told me the 120v amp rating of a single leg of the generator would be 27 amps. I think that should be enough to run the RV. Just fyi (because I've read some conflicting info on this and other forums).